Torture of children

Nature

Children are systematically tortured in a large number of countries. They are whipped or kicked for hours, given electrical shocks, sexually abused, beaten on the soles of their feet, or their eyes gouged out or mutilated in other ways. In some cases children are made to watch as their parents are tortured. Some times children are tortured in front of their parents to force confessions or as a form of psychological torture. Some children have been imprisoned without charges with their mothers or when their mother was bearing them.

Background

The torture of children emerged as a distinct global concern in the late 20th century, following reports from conflict zones and detention centers that highlighted systematic abuse. International attention intensified after the 1989 adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which documented widespread violations. Subsequent investigations by organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have revealed the persistence and complexity of child torture across diverse legal, social, and political contexts.

Incidence

Torture of children has been reported in the following countries: (Africa) Ethiopia, South Africa; (America) Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru; (Asia) Afghanistan, Iran Islamic Rep, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore; (Europe) Poland, Turkey.

Claim

The torture of children is an appalling and urgent crisis that demands immediate global attention. No society can call itself just while even a single child suffers such cruelty. This horrific abuse destroys lives, shatters families, and perpetuates cycles of trauma. We must prioritize the protection of children, enforce strict laws, and hold perpetrators accountable. Ignoring this issue is a moral failure—every child deserves safety, dignity, and a future free from torture.